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Joe Coss, announcer at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut, has been voted the winner of Daytona International Speedway’s UNOH Battle At The Beach announcer search.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The race fans have spoken and Joe Coss, announcer at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut, has been voted the winner of Daytona International Speedway’s UNOH Battle At The Beach announcer search.

Coss will be part of the announcing team for the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach on Feb. 18-19, which will feature two days of racing headlined by three non-points special events in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified tours and the Late Model division of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

For the past eight years, Coss has served as an announcer at Stafford Motor Speedway where his announcing duties have included coverage of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

“To be able to announce at Daytona and represent the Northeast and short track racing at NASCAR’s biggest stage, is an absolute honor,” Coss said. “It’s something that I would have never expected. It’s a real privilege to be in the position to announce at Daytona. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and I can’t wait for next February.”

In June, Daytona International Speedway invited short track fans around the country to nominate their favorite local NASCAR Home Track public address announcer to be one of the announcers for the UNOH Battle At The Beach during Budweiser Speedweeks 2013.

Nominations were narrowed down to 10 semifinalists who were then asked to submit an audition video and a pitch video. A committee of judges selected the five finalists based on the video submissions and nominations.

Between Aug. 10 and Sept. 30, race fans could view each finalist’s video auditions on the Speedway’s web site and vote for their favorite announcer.

Coss is thrilled to be part of the action during the UNOH Battle At The Beach, an event that he says is creating plenty of buzz among the competitors.

“Everybody is talking about the UNOH Battle At The Beach as the premier short track event of 2013,” Coss said. “I think that it’s going to bring the best competition, the best teams and the best drivers.

“Just as I am extremely excited to be able to announce at Daytona, they’re many drivers out there that are going to be extremely excited to be able to compete at Daytona. Here in New England, everybody looks forward to having the chance to race modifieds or the K&N Series at New Hampshire. Now they got the opportunity to race at Daytona and that’s going to bring a new level of prestige. The drivers are going to be on their ‘A’ game. It’s going to make for exciting racing.”

A complete UNOH Battle At The Beach schedule, including gate opening times, practice and qualifying race times for both days, is available at the UNOH Battle At The Beach event page.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #DAYTONA500 and #NASCARBattle. In addition, fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.

Oct 11 | U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Bring Air Power to 55th Annual Daytona 500

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The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, known for their precision aerobatics, will perform the flyover for the 55th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener on Sunday, Feb. 24, at Daytona International Speedway.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, known around the globe for their precision aerobatics, will perform the flyover for the 55th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener on Sunday, Feb. 24, at Daytona International Speedway.

It’s the third consecutive year that the flying team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will perform the flyover for “The Great American Race.” The Thunderbirds also provided the flyover in 2008 for the 50th running of the Daytona 500.

The Thunderbirds flyover will feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft, soaring over the Speedway at the end of the playing of the national anthem.

“It’s an honor for the third straight year to have the USAF Thunderbirds provide the flyover for the 55th annual Daytona 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The Thunderbirds are known throughout the world for their precision and excellence in the skies. The thousands of race fans in attendance and the millions more watching on FOX are looking forward to a stirring flyover at the conclusion of the national anthem.”

This week, the USAF Thunderbirds are visiting Daytona Beach for the second time in 2012, this time to perform in Embry-Riddle’s "Wings and Waves Air Show," which takes place on the Daytona Beach shoreline Oct. 13-14.

"We’ve developed such a great relationship with Daytona race fans over the years,” said Lt. Col. Greg Moseley, Thunderbirds commander and lead pilot. “We feel honored to contribute to the NASCAR experience during the 55th annual Daytona 500.”

The Thunderbirds team is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted Airmen serving in about 30 Air Force job specialties.

Since the unit's inception in 1953, more than 350 million people in all 50 states and 61 countries have witnessed the distinctive red, white and blue jets in thousands of official aerial demonstrations.

Tickets for NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race – the 55th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24 – start at $65 and are available at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

For the second straight year, the Speedway is offering special youth pricing for the Daytona 500. Children 12 and under will receive 50 percent off all backstretch grandstand seats for the Daytona 500 while supplies last. In addition, children 12 and under are free in the Sprint FANZONE throughout Budweiser Speedweeks.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #DAYTONA500. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.

Ghosts and goblins will be on the prowl as Daytona International Speedway gets in the Halloween spirit with its All-Access track tours at the “World Center of Racing.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Ghosts and goblins will be on the prowl as Daytona International Speedway gets in the Halloween spirit with its All-Access track tours at the “World Center of Racing.”

Beginning Oct. 22 through Oct. 29, the All-Access tour, the 90-minute tour of Daytona International Speedway, will have a Halloween theme with decorations throughout many of its stops on the property as well as trick-or-treating for children in costume.

Daytona International Speedway will also stage a “Best Costume” photo contest for children 12 and under with the winner receiving four tickets to the 55th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24.

There will be special pricing available for the Halloween-themed All-Access tours between Oct. 22-29, with children ages 6-12 wearing their Halloween costumes receiving a $10 admission, a savings of 40 percent. Adult tickets are available for $23 and children 5 and under are free.

The 90-minute All-Access Tour runs daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. taking guests on an open-air tram through Daytona International Speedway’s garage area, pit road and the world famous 31-degree high banks. Among the tour stops include the start/finish line, Gatorade Victory Lane, the Driver’s Meeting Room and the Houston Lawing Press Box.

Tickets for the NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race – the 55th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24 – start at $65 and are available at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

For the second straight year, the Speedway is offering special youth pricing for the Daytona 500. Children 12 and under will receive 50 percent off all backstretch grandstand seats for the Daytona 500 while supplies last. In addition, children 12 and under are free in the Sprint FANZONE throughout Budweiser Speedweeks.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #DAYTONA500 and #NASCARBattle. In addition, fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.

Oct 02 | Motor Racing Network's 'Great American Fan'

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Motor Racing Network – “The Voice of NASCAR” – and Daytona International Speedway are teaming up this fall to give racing fans the chance to win a Chevrolet Camaro 2SS convertible and a trip to the 2013 season-opening Daytona 500.

CONCORD, N.C. -- Motor Racing Network – “The Voice of NASCAR” – and Daytona International Speedway are teaming up this fall to give racing fans the chance to win a Chevrolet Camaro 2SS convertible and a trip to the 2013 season-opening Daytona 500.

“The Great American Race Fan” Photo Contest opened Sept. 30 during the network’s live broadcast of the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race from Dover International Speedway. It runs through Nov. 30 with winners to be announced on Monday, Dec. 3.

The Grand Prize winner will receive the keys to a 2013 Camaro convertible during pre-race ceremonies for “The Great American Race” on Feb. 24, 2013, and then take it for an unforgettable “Sunday Drive” around the 2.5-mile oval on one of the parade laps.

“Motor Racing Network and Daytona International Speedway have built a strong partnership through the years and we’re honored to have Chevrolet join us for this program,” said MRN President and Executive Producer David Hyatt. “It’s a great way for us to create additional excitement for a new NASCAR season, tap into the enthusiasm and passion of our fans, and steer them to the broad range of information and services available on our respective websites.”

In addition to the Camaro convertible, the Grand Prize winner will receive a 2013 Daytona 500 VIP experience that includes two grandstand tickets to the race, a tour of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage and an introduction to the crowd during pre-race activities.

Two First Prize winners will each receive a pair of tickets to the 2013 Daytona 500.
Contest photos may be submitted until Nov. 4. A committee comprised of staff from Motor Racing Network and Daytona International Speedway will then select 10 finalists, with internet voting open from Nov. 9-30 at MotorRacingNetwork.com and DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com.

“The Great American Race Fan” Photo Contest is being supported with regular mentions in MRN and DIS online newsletters, through Facebook and Twitter messaging, and by live promotional reads during the network’s Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series broadcasts during the balance of the 2012 season.

Tickets for the 55th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 can be purchased by visiting DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or calling 1-800-PITSHOP (748-7467).

ABOUT THE DAYTONA 500
Historic Daytona International Speedway is home to the Daytona 500 – “The Great American Race” and NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious event. The Daytona 500 is held annually each February and many of NASCAR’s greats have captured the coveted Harley J. Earl winner’s trophy … Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Allison, Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Trevor Bayne and – most recently – Matt Kenseth.

ABOUT MOTOR RACING NETWORK
Motor Racing Network, now in its 43rd year of broadcasting, is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation and the primary source for NASCAR stock car racing, sports car racing and related radio programming. MRN’s award-winning play-by-play coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is delivered via satellite to more than 650 radio stations nationwide plus the American Forces Network. Motor Racing Network is the largest independent sports radio network in America.

Tickets for the NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race – the 55th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24 – start at $65 and are available at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

For the second straight year, the Speedway is offering special youth pricing for the Daytona 500. Children 12 and under will receive 50 percent off all backstretch grandstand seats for the Daytona 500 while supplies last. In addition, children 12 and under are free in the Sprint FANZONE throughout Budweiser Speedweeks.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #DAYTONA500. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.

Oct 02 | On and Off the Track, DIS Boasts Busy Schedule of Activities during Fall Cycle Scene

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For the second time in 2012, the roar of motorcycles will take over Daytona International Speedway on Oct. 18-21 for the annual Fall Cycle Scene.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – For the second time in 2012, the roar of motorcycles will take over Daytona International Speedway on Oct. 18-21 for the annual Fall Cycle Scene.

On the track, the Speedway’s 3.51-mile road course will showcase for the first time an electric motorcycle race with the TTXGP, the Team Hammer Advanced School, the AMA Roadrace Grand Championships, vintage racing from American Historic Motorcycle Racing Association (AHMRA) as well as Championship Cup Series (CCS) sprint races and the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) finals.

TTXGP, the world’s first zero carbon sanctioned motorsports event, will qualify on Saturday and race on Sunday morning. It’ll be the first time the series has held a final in the United States.

Outside the “World Center of Racing,” there will also be numerous motorcycle activities to check out including:

• Monster Dash: The annual Monster Dash returns on Friday night, Oct. 19 where bikers will have the opportunity to take two parade laps around the Speedway. Tickets are $30 per bike and can be purchased in advance by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or the day of the event.

• Vendors and displays: Bikers can visit with over 100 of the nation’s top aftermarket product vendors or get an up close look at the cruiser and sport bike manufacturers and custom bike builders have to offer in their display areas.

• Budweiser Cool Your Pipes Zone and Thunder Alley: Bikers can spend the day catching up with old friends at the Budweiser Cool Your Pipes Zone inside Thunder Alley in the Midway where they can enjoy a cold Budweiser and great food next to the area’s largest vendor, display and demo ride marketplace. Thunder Alley will also showcase entertainment, games and contests.

• RV Parking: RV parking is available inside the “World Center of Racing” infield. RV Camping (with hook-ups) is available for $295 and RV camping (no hook-ups) is $175 which also includes two adult admissions for the weekend’s racing activities. Motorcycle trailer parking is $25. For more information, call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Tickets for Fall Cycle Scene start at $10 and an Advance Super Four-Day Ticket is available for $50 and includes access to the infield, Sprint FANZONE, garage and free parking. Tickets can be purchased at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or at the gate.

Race fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all year long.